If you come across a birds's nest on any tree or on the ground, and it contains baby birds or eggs, then, if the mother is sitting on the chicks or eggs, you must not take the mother along with her young.

He has therefore invented charges against her, and claims that he has evidence that she has not been faithful to him. But here is evidence of my daughter's virtue.' With that, [the girl's parents] shall present their case before the city elders.

They shall fine him 100 [shekels] of silver [as a penalty] for defaming an Israelite virgin, and give it to the girl's father. [The man] must then keep [the girl] as his wife, and may not send her away as long as he lives.

then they shall take her out to the door of her father's house, and the people of her city shall put her to death by stoning. She has brought sexual immorality to her father's house, doing a shameful thing in Israel. You must therefore rid yourself of the evil in your midst.

Both of them shall be brought to the gates of that city, and they shall be put to death by stoning. [The penalty shall be imposed on] the girl because she did not cry out [even though she was] in the city, and on the man, because he violated his neighbor's wife. You shall thus rid yourselves of evil.

You must not impose any penalty whatsoever upon the girl, since she has not committed a sin worthy of death. This is no different from the case where a man rises up against his neighbor and murders him.

first (see Chiddushey HaRan, Chullin 139a; Teshuvoth Rashba 18, 3:283). However, some maintain that it is a meritorious deed to send away the mother even if one does not wish to take the young (Teshuvoth Chavvoth Yair 67; cf. HaKethav VeHaKabbalah).

new house The same is true if one buys a house (Sifri), or rents one (Yad, Sekhiruth 6:3). However, some maintain that the latter cases are obligations only by rabbinical legislation (Hagahoth Maimonioth, on Yad, Rotze'ach 11:1; Tzafenath Paaneach).

different species See Leviticus 19:19 (Berakhoth 22a; Sefer HaMitzvoth, Negative 216; Yad, Kelayim 5:1; Chinukh 548). The mixtures forbidden in the vineyard are primarily the same as those forbidden otherwise, but if they are planted in a vineyard they become forbidden, for any use at all (Yad, Kelayim 5:4, Maakhaloth Assuroth 10:6). See below.

wool and linen Some say that this was forbidden because such mixtures were reserved for the priests (Baaley Tosafoth; Chizzkuni; Josephus, Antiqities 4:8:11). Others say that it is forbidden because such mixtures were worn by gentile priests (Moreh Nevukhim 3:37; Chinukh 551). Other sources indicate that it is forbidden because sheep were the sacrifice of Abel while linen was the sacrifice of Cain (Pirkey Rabbi Eliezer 21; Tanchuma, Bereshith 9; Chizzkuni).

bound tasselsGedilim in Hebrew (cf. 1 Kings 7:17; Targum on Exodus 28:22). See Numbers 15:38. The ritual tzitzith-tassels are made by doubling over four threads so that eight appear to be coming from each corner. One of these threads is longer than the rest, and this is wound around the rest. This section, around which a thread is wound, constitutes one third of the length of the tassel, and is called the gedil (Menachoth 39a; Rashi ibid. 39b, s.v. U'Pothli-hu; Rashi on Deuteronomy 32:5). Or, 'doubled tassels' (Sifri; Menachoth 39b).

evidence that... That is, two witnesses who saw the girl committing adultery (Sifri; Yad, Naarah Bethulah 3:6; Ralbag from 17:6). Literally, 'I have not found tokens of virginity' (cf. Ramban).

girl's This law applies primarily in the case of a girl between 12 and 12½ years old (Yad, Naarah Bethulah 3:7).

evidence... That is, two witnesses to refute those of the husband (Sifri; Yad, Naarah Bethulah 3:6, 3:12). See Deuteronomy, 19:18.

flog 39 lashes. (Kethuvoth 46a). Some say that even if the husband merely falsely accuses his bride of not being a virgin, he is also flogged, but he is not given the full penalty of 39 lashes (Chizzkuni).

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